Fruit-processing device.



G. P. FLEMING.

FRUIT PROCESSING DEVICE.

APPLICATION IILED MAR. 2a, 1908.

Patented Mar. 23, 1909.

W w n Wz'inaas;

lam/Luv UNITED STATES PA ENT OFFICE- I CHARLES rrtammaor SANJOSE,CALIFORNIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 23, .1909.

of California, have invented new and useful details Improvements inFruit-Processing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an apparatus for processing fruit.

It consists of a revoluble cylinder, with means for cleansing, steamingand advancingthe fruit, and separating it from the wash water.

It com rises a combination of parts, and f construction which will bemore fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawin s, in whichFigure 1 is a ongitudinal section. is a rear end view, partly insection. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the Fig. 2

' cylinder showing the gradual. incline 10".,

In the subsequent preparation of prunes and like frult after having beendried, it is desirable to wash and thoroughly cleanse the fruit fromaccumulated dust and associated impurities, to steam and soften thefruit and to separate it from the washing water.

My invention is designed to provide a continuous apparatus in which thiswork is automatically effected.

As shown in the drawings A is a cylinder of suitable material anddimensions. The cylinder is referably mounted at a slight incline from t.e horizontal, and may be supported upon bearing rollers, and revolvedby belt, sprocket-chain, gear, or other convenient means.

The upper or receiving end of the cylinder abuts against a head 2, whichmay have a flange 3 of such interior diameter that the end of thecylinder will extend into-it.

The .head is stationary; the cylinder revolves freely with relation tothe head, and forms a substantially close joint therewith. An opening ismade in this stationary head, and a hopper 4 connects therewith, the hoper and lead being stationary while t is cylinder is free to revolve. I

The lower end of the exterior cylinder extends to the chamber 5, and bymeans of abutting flanges 6, one upon the cylinder and the other uponthe contiguous end of the chamber, the cylinder will revolve freely andsubstantially tight with relation to the chamber 5 which is stationary.

7 is a steam pipe extending into the open receiving end of the cylinderand passing entirely through it to the opposite or discharge end. Thisipe is perforated with holes, and steam may be admitted from either end,and dischar ed into the interior of the cylinder.

'Within the cylinder, and extending a certain portion of its length,from the receivin end, are spiral ribs 8 fitting closely aroun theinterior 'peripher of the chamber. These ribs are of consi erable'depth,and are designed to retain the water, which is admitted with the fruit,through the hopper 4.

The revolution of the cylinder causes a gradual, advance of the fruit byreason of these spirals, and a thorough agitation and washing thereof.

In order to properly distribute the fruit, when it is first admitted, Ihave shown the first two turns of the spiral as supplemented byintermediate spirals S, which terminate opposite to each otherwithin thecylinder, an which serve to receive the mass of fruit delivered throughthe hopper, and to sepa rate, e ualize and advance it, so that it willbe regu arly delivered to the main spirals.

After the fruit has been thoroughly agitated and washed, it is desirableto separate it from the water which has become dirty. I have thereforeshown the spirals from near the center, toward the discharge end of acylinder, as being considerably reduced in depth, as shown at 9.Longitudinal strips are fixed upon the edges of these diminishedspirals, these strips being secured so as to leave small openingsbetween them. Upon the surface of these stri s are fixed other shallowspirals 11, and at tie point where the fruit leaves the spirals 8, theremay be a gradual incline 10 which lifts the fruit from the interiorperiphery of the cylinder, and delivers it upon the strips or slats 10,and between the spiral ribs 11. The fruit thus continues to advance bythe revolution of the cylinder, and the agitation will separate thewater from the fruit to a great extent, and allow it to fall through theslats and into the channel which is exterior thereto. are sufficientlytight to advance the water, which is eventually discharged through thelower or discharge end of the cylinder, where it may escape.

Steam is admitted through the perforated pipe 7, and being dischargedwithin the cyllnder acts to soften and swell the fruit during itspassage.

The dlscharge end of the interior or slat The ribs 8 and Q i cylinderextends far enough into the chamber 5, so that the fruit passing throughit Will be discharged at a point beyond that at which the water isdischarged, and by means of separate conveyers the water and fruit willbe independently delivered, the fruit being collecte in any suitablereceiver.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. In an apparatus of the character described, arevoluble cylinder, a stationary flanged head Within Which the receivingend of the cylinder forms a turnable joint, an opening in said head anda hopper fixed to deliver fru t and water therein, spiral ribs fittingthe interior of the cylinder acting to advance the Water and fruit,means by which the fruit is subsequently lifted from the water and itsadvance continued, a fixed discharge chamber with which the contiguousend of the cylinder forms a turnable oint, and means whereby the waterand fruit are separately discharged.

2. In an ap aratus of the character described, an inc ined revolublecylinder having close fitting interior spiral ribs, a stationary headand a discharge chamber with which opposite ends of the cylinder formturnable oints, an opening in the receiving head, a hopper connectedtherewith for the introduction of fruit and water, supplementaldistributing spirals intermediate of the first-named and contiguous tothe receiving end, and a smaller interior cylinder occ-u ying thedischarge end portion of the cylin er.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a revoluble cylinder, areceiving head and a discharge chamber, with means for forming turnablejoints between the cylinder and said parts, a stationary receivinghopper eiaeeo communicatin, with the interior of the receiving end oft ecylinder spiral ribs extending from the receiving end t rough a portionof the length of the cylinder, said ribs being reduced in depth for theremaining distance to the discharge end, separated slats mounted uponsaid ribs and forming an interior open cylinder into which the fruit isdelivered from the first portion of the cylinder,

4'. In an apparatus of the character described, a revoluble cylinder, astationary receiving head and a discharge chamber at opposite ends, withmeans for making a close revoluble joint between the cylinder and theseparts, a stationary ho per communi eating with the interior oi thecylinder through the receiving head, a perforated steam pipe extendingsubstantially through the cylinder, spiral ribs fitting the interior ofthe cylinder, and extending a portion of its distance, intermediatedistributing spirals at the receiving end of the cylinder, spirals ofless depth continuing from the ends of. the first named spirals to thedischarge end of the cylinder, longitudinal slats fixed upon the innerperiphery of these spirals, with open spaces between, and other spiralsfitting the interior of said slats, said. slats and spirals extendinginto the discharge chamber beyond the main cylinder.

In testimpny whereof I have hereunto setmy hand in presence of twosubscribmg wit- IIGSSGS.

. CHARLES F. FLEMING. Vitnesses:

SEYMOUR T. MONTGOMERY. T. S. MONTGOMERY.

